Towel cabinet



F. M. STEINER Feb. 11, 1930.

TOWEL CABINET Filed D60. 25, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Byd, L@ ma@ Aorneus Feb. ll, 1930.

STEINER TOWEL CABINET Filed Deo. 23, 1927 3 Sheets-Shea?l 3 l l r u zrl/e 7924010 Fe/w/f/W. Tf/NER Zoe/v Patented Feb.` 11,1930

i strisce FRANK M. STEINE-R, OF MNNEAPOLIS, MENNESGTA, ASSIGNOB TO STEINER SALES COM- PANT, F SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, A. CGRPORATON OF UTAH TOWEL cnninnr Applicatonled December 23, 1927. Serial No. 242,155.

The object of my invention is to provide a towel cabinet which `can be easily and properlylled by an inexperienced or careless attendant.` Frequently in towel cabinets, the web'of towel has to be stretched from the delivery to the talreuproll in a certain way,`

otherwise the soiled portion of the towel will not be properly wound on the takeup roll. Itioften happens that the correct or proper' y i0 way of stretching the towel web to the talreup roll is not the easiest or shortest way and hencea person 1that is inclined to be a little careless or in haste in the operation of loading the cabinet will be apt to stretch the and7 of course, ifthat is done, the cabinet cannot properly perform its function.

In my present cabinet I have provided a structure that is `simple and inexpensive to manufacture, easily manipulated and a very inexperienced attendant can, without difiiculty,remove the soiled towel frbm the cabinet and load it with a clean supply.

A further object is to provide a cabinet having an opening through which the clean towelweb is exposed with provision for preventing access to the supply of towel and the removal from the cabinet of this supply by anyone with mischievous or thieving intent. l

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description. i The invention consists generally in various" constructions and combinations hereinafter de- 32 scribedand particularly pointed out inthe claims.

`In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification,

i Fig. l is a vertical sectional view through 40, a towel cabinet embodying my invention looking toward one side of the interior of the cabinet; i

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the upper portion of the cabinet looking toward the oppo- -ii site side; Fig. 3 is a partial front view showingthe normal 4positionofv the delivery and pinch rolls `and the door which `conceals the towel Supply; i i

Fig. 4l is a vertical sectional view of the towel web improperly to the takeup roll, i

upper portion of the cabinet showing the positionof the parts when the pinch roll is moved forwardly following the opening of the cabinet door and when the door concealing the towel supply is swung to its forward position;

`Fig. 5 is an outside view of the casing;

\ Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through a towel cabinet showing a modified means for supporting the pinch roll; l

Fig. 7 is a similar view of the upper portion of the cabinet.showing` the pinch roll swung forwardly to the position it assumes in loading the cabinet; and

Fig. S is a front view of thevupperportion of the cabinet showing the bars supporting the pinch roll and their position with respect to the` delivery feed roll.

ln the drawings, i

2 represents the base of the cabinet having suitable supporting legs 3; 4, the side walls provided witha suitable top 5, and inclined mirror 6; 7 is an openingin the front of the cabinet below the mirror through which access may be had to the clean towel and beone side of low this opening is a door 8 which7 when opened, permits access to the base of the cabinet and the soiled towel web accumulated thereini An anti-friction rod 9 is `preferably provided near the top of the door within the opening 7 over which the web of towel `conveniently slides Vinto the cabinet; l0 represents the rear wall of the cabinet extending preferably to a point near thetop thereofand adjacent this wall opposite preferably, the Lipper portionof the door 8 is a shelf 1l adapted to receive the supply of clean towel 12. This supply has a forward and backward movement on the shelf in case a roll is used to permit convenient unwinding ofthe web or, if preferred, the clean towel supply may be placed on the shelf in folds to be delivered to the user in substantially the same manner as the web from the roll. A gate 13 is provided having preferably spring hinge connections 14 with the front oftheshelf 1L, the spring hinges `normally tending to hold the gate in its raised position against a suitable stop l5. Then the gate is in this position,

the supply of clean towel will be concealed from anyone standing in front of the cabinet. 16 represents the delivery feed roll having preferably a roughened or sanded surface over which the clean web of towel is stretched from the supply. A pinch roll 17 is also provided between which and the roll 16 the web of towel is held, the loose end of the web being carried downwardly from the pinch roll in the rear. of, and near the opening 7, where it can be easily grasped and pulled outwardly through the opening to a convenient position for using. Brackets 18 and 19 are mounted in the opposite side walls of the casing, supported preferably by suitable pivots 20, and having curved slots 21 therein to receive the spindle of the pinch roll 17 and permit it to slide from end tok end of said slots, A bar 22 is provided connecting the brackets 18 and 19A across the cabinet and insuring their simultaneous uniform e movement. A suitable stop 23 limits the inward movement of these brackets. A rod 24 is pivotally connected to the outer portion of the bracket 18 and extends downwardly at one side of the opening 7, and is pivotally connected at its lower end to one end of a lever 25 that is supported near its middle portion on a pivot 26, and is normally held in a substantially vertical position by the pressure of the door 8 when it is closed against the tension of a spring 27.

When the door is closed and locked the brackets will `be swung to their inner position as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. The pinch roll will bear on the upper portion of the delivery roll 16 'and the lever 25 will be held bythe door so that it cannot be released to allow the disengagement of the pinch roll from the towel web. The rod 24 has a lug 28 thereon that forms a stop for the gate 13 and prevents this gate from being opened and accesshad to the clean towel supply when the cabinet door is closed and locked. Hence, anyone approaching the cabinet with the mechanism in the position shown in Fig. 2 would not be able to swing the gate 13 outwardly and reach into the cabinet and remove the clean towel supply.

When the door of the cabinet is opened, the s ring 27 will swing the lever 25 tothe positlon indicated by full lines in Fig. 4 and this movement of the lever 25 will draw the rod 24 downwardlyv and swing the brackets 18 and 19 outwardly and move the pinch roll from its position of engagement with the feed roll 16. When this has taken placeV the lug 28 will'be positioned opposite a notch 29 in the gate 13 so that when the gate is swung outwardly it will clear the lug and may be swung down to the position. indicated by full lines 1n Fig. 4 and in this position the shelf 11 will be exposed andy a fresh supply of clean towel lmaybe placedl thereon. When the` gate is released the spring hinges will automatically return it to its raised position againstthe stop and when the attendant closes the door of the cabinet the lever will be automatically moved to the position indicated in Fig. 2, thereby swinging the brackets inwardly to their normal position and again engaging the pinch roll with the feed roll as soon as pull is exercised on the clean towel web. Generally, the pinch roll,y when the brackets 18 and 19 areswung to their inner position will drop by gravity to its normal position against the feed roll but even if it docs not, the pull of the user on the towel will instantly cause it to assume that position.

Below the shelf 11, I provide a takeup feed roll 30, a. shelf 30 and a takeup roll 31 that is removable preferably through slots 32 in the side walls of the casing. The feed roll 16 has a sprocket 3.4 thereon and a chain 33 connects this sprocket with an idle wheel 3 4 near which on one side of the chain is a sprocket wheel 35 on the shaft of the takeup feed roll 30, this arrangement of the chain andY wheels causing thev takeupA feed roll to revolve in the opposite direction from that of the delivery feed roll, the purpose being to allow the winding of the soiled towel web from the front of the takeup feed roll as shown in Fig. 1 instead of from the rear thereof.

Obviously, anyone opening the door of the cabinet to connect the soiled towel web to the takeup roll would be inclined to stretch the web the shortest and easiest way and that` would be at the front of the takeup feed roll. Hence, I prefer tok operate the feed rolls in opposite directions so that the soiled towel may be wound in this way. I prefer also toV provide a pull-backdevice consisting of a rod 3 6 mounted on arms 37 which are pivoted; at 38 in the lower portion of the cabinet. The soiled towel web is carried u nder the rod 36 before being wound on the takeup roll' and the weight of the rod 36 and the arms 37 will operate to smooth the wrinkles and stretch the soiled web so that when it is delivered to the takeup roll it will be smooth and even,

lA suitable stop device 39 is preferably provided in connection with the sprocket wheel 34 which requires manipulation with each revolution of the feed roll. This stop device is quite common to cabinets shown in an application which I have heretofore filed and 'detailed description of the same in this case 1s not necessary.y

In Figs.6, 7, and 8, I have shown a modified construction in the manner o f mounting the pinch roll. As shown in these figures bars 40 are pivoted at 41 in the side walls of the casing. The upper portion of these bars are preferably inwardly'turned andl terminate in extensions 42, having vertical slots 43 to re,- ceive the spindle of the pinch roll which is substantially the same as the one described ACM.

with reference tothe previous figures and which I will indicate bythe same reference numeral 17. This pinch roll is free to slide vertically in these slots and on each side wall f of the casing I provide a plate 44 having an i roll or upon the web of clean towel that has been inserted between them. In this position the pinch roll will be locked and cannot be disengaged from the feed delivery roll until the attendant reaches into the cabinet and lifts the pinch roll a sufficient distance so that Aits spindle will clear the prongs 46. `VVhen this has been done, the arms 40 may be swung downwardly and outwardly to the position indicated in Fig. 7. The plates 44 are shown and described in 'my application 225,350 filed October 10, 1927 and I'make no claim broadly to the same herein. `The door concealing the clean towel supply may also be swung outwardly and access had to the shelf to place a fresh supply of cleantowel thereon. When this has been done and the clean web has been pulled outwardly andv stretched over the pinch roll the arms are returnedto engage the spindle and the pinch roll with the plates 44` as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 7 and then `when the arms have been pushed in sufficiently so that the pinch roll will clear the prongs 46, the pinch roll will drop by gravity automatically to its normal working position above and adjacent the delivery feed roll. The clean towel web will then be stretched across the opening in-the front of the cabinet where it can be reached and drawn outwardly in position for use, the end of the web having been passed under "the pull-back rod and from thence stretched to the takeup roll feo whereon it will be wound simultaneously with the delivery of the clean web. j I claim asmy invention:

`l. A towel cabinet having a support therein for the supply of clean towel and provided with an opening through `whichaccess may be f hadto the clean towel web, a delivery feed roll mounted in said cabinet adjacent said opening, a pinch roll between which and said feed roll the towel webis stretched from the towel supply, means pivotally supported upon each side of said opening and wherein said pinch roll is mounted, said pivoted means being connectedacross the cabinet for simultaneous movement, and a lever for swinging said pinch roll with said pivoted means forwardly to separate said pinch roll and feed roll and permit the convenient stretching of the towel web between them. j

2. A towel cabinet adapted to contain a supply of clean towel and having an opening through which access may be had to the towel web, a door, a delivery feed roll mounted in said cabinet near said opening, a pinch roll, means pivoted on each side of said opening and connected across said opening for simultaneous movement and having slots wherein the spindle of said pinch roll is adapted to slide, and means controlled by said door to tilt said pinch roll forwardly and rearwardly.

3. A towel cabinet having a support therein for the supply of clean towel and provided with an opening through which access may be had to' theclean towel web, a delivery feed roll in said cabinet adjacent said opening, a inch roll between which and said feed roll the towel web may `bestretched lfrom the towel supply, means pivotally supported upon each side of said opening and where@ in said pinch roll is mounted, said pivoted means being `connected across the cabinet for simultaneous movement, and means for swinging said pivoted means forwardly toA separate said pinch roll and feed roll and permit the convenient stretching of the towel web between them, and means for operating said last mentioned means to hold said pivoted means in position to press the towel web against said feedroll."

4. A towel cabinet adapted to contain a supply of clean towel and having an opening through which access may be had to the towel web, a delivery feedoil in said cabinet near said opening, a pinchroll, means pivoted on each side of said opening and connected acrosssaid openingfor simultaneous move'- ment and having slots wherein the spindle of said pinch roll is adapted to "slide, said pivoted means being free to tilt forwardly to permit convenient threading of the towel webbetween the feed roll and pinch roll and means for locking said `pivoted means in its normal position to allow said pinch roll to` press the towel web against said feed roll.

5. A towel cabinet having means for sup porting a supply of clean towel therein and` provided with an opening through which ac-V cess may be had `to the clean towel web, a feed roll in said cabinet adjacent said opening, brackets pivoted on the side walls of the cabinet and adapted toV swing toward and from said feed roll, a pinch roll mounted in iso said brackets' between which and said feed *i roll the clean towel web may be stretched when said brackets are swung forwardly,

means connecting said brackets for their si-` multaneous movement, a rod connected with one of said brackets and depending therefrom, a door for the front of the cabinet, and

iso

brackets and pinch `roll to their loading positionwhensaid door is opened. I

6. A towelcabinet having means .for supporting a supply. of clean toweltherein and 5, provided with an opening through which access-may behadto the clean towel web, a feed roll in saidcabinet adjacent said opening, brackets pivoted on the side walls of the cabinet and adapted to swing toward and from 10, said feed roll, a pinch roll mounted in said brackets between which and said feed roll the clean towel web may be stretched when said brackets are swung forwardly, means connecting said brackets for their simultaneous 15, movemenha rod connected withvone of said brackets and depending therefrom, door for the front, of the cabinet, means for operati-n said rod to swing said brackets and pinc roll` to their loading position when said zu, door is opened, and means actuated by the closing f said door for returning said rod and said brackets to their normal position.

T. AA towel cabinetl having means for supporting` a supply of clean towel therein and 2 5, previdedwith an o ning through which access may be had t0 t e clean towel web, a door for tlie'front of the cabinet, said cabinet having a support therein fora supply of clean towel, a deliveryfeed roll in said cabinet 3,0v adjacent `said opening, a pinch roll., means pivotally supporting said pinch roll for forward and backward movement, a lever and means connecting it with said pivoted means, said door in its closed. position normally engagi-ng said lever and preventing forward movementA of said pivotedmeans and said pinch roll a spring put under tension by the closing of said door for tilting said lever when the door is opened and swinging said 40 pivotedmeans and said pinch roll forwardly to4 a. position for conveniently stretching the towel web over said. pinch roll, said lever being positioned inthe path of the door when closed to return.. said pivoted means and said A5 pinch-roll to, their normal position, and press the web of towel against said. delivery feed roll. y

y 8. A towel cabinet having a support. thereinfor asupply of clean towel` and provided with an opening through which access may be had tothe clean towel web, a delivery feedl roll inr said cabinet adjacent said opening, a. pinch roll between which and said feed roll the towel web may be stretched from. the

towelY supply, pivoted means wherein said pinch roll is mounted in position to-normally pressv the towel web against said feed roll, agate for Vnormally concealing the supply of clean towel and adapted' to move outwardly -n and having a notch therein, a device controlled by 'the movement of; said pivoted meansandnonmally out of registerwith said notch to prevent outwardmovementof said gate, said device being` in register with said notch when. saidA pivoted means and said pinch roll are moved outwardly to a loading position, and means for normally locking said pinch roll and said pivoted means against outward movement.

9. A towel cabinet having a support therein for a supply of clean towel and provided with an opening through which access may be had to the clean towel web, a delivery feed roll in said cabinet adjacent said opening, a pinch roll adjacent said feed roll tilting supports wherein said pinch roll is mounted to normally press the towel web against said feed roll, said tilting supports having an outward movement to separate said rolls and allow the convenient insertion of the towel web between them, a gate normally concealing the towel supply, means for locking said tilting supports and pinch roll in their normal position, and means adapted to prevent the movement of said gate to` an open position until said tilting supports have been released.

l0. A towel cabinet having' a support therein for a supply of clean towel, and provided with an opening through which access may be had to the clean towel web, a delivery feed roll mounted adjacent said opening, a pinch roll, pivoted supports for said pinch roll, adapted to move forwardly to separate said rolls and allow the convenient insertion of the towel web between them, a door for said cabinet, means normally held by said door in its closed position for locking said supports and pinch roll in their normal position adjacent to said feed roll, and means for operating said last mentioned means to swing said pinch roll outwardly to a cabinet loading position.

1l. A towel cabinet having a support therein for a supply of clean towel and provided with anopening through which access may be had to the clean towel web, a delivery feed roll in said cabinet adjacent said opening. a pinchroll adapted topress the towel web against said delivery feed roll, pivotcd supports for said pinch roll having a cross bar between them to compel simultaneous movement of said supports, a door for said cabinet, means released by the opening of said door for moving said supports andsaid pinch roll outwardly to permit convenient stretching of the towel web over said pinch roll, said means being operative by the closing of said door for returning said supports and pinch roll to their normal position.

l2. A towel holder adapted'to contain a supply of clean towel and having an opening through which access may be had to the towel web, a door for the holder, a pairl of rolls in said holder near said opening, supports mounted oneach side of said opening for forward and backward movement and in which supports one of said rolls is mounted for movement outwardly with respect to said opening and the other roll, and means for separating said rolls automatically operative when said door isopened.`

13. A towel holder adapted to contain a supply of clean towel and having an opening through which access may he had to the towel web, a door for the holder, a pair of rolls in said holder near said opening, one of said rolls being adapted to pinch a towel web between itand the other roll, supports mounted on each side of said opening for forward and backward movement and in which Supports one of said rolls is loosely mounted for movement outwardly on said supports with respect to said" opening and the other roll, the separation of said rolls and the forward movement of one of them adapting the holder for convenient stretching of a web of towel over said loosely mounted roll in loading the holder, and means operated by said door for o pulling said loosely mountedroll toward the other one and pinching the towel between them.

14. A towel cabinet having a door, a feed roll in the cabinet7 a pinch roll adjacent the feed roll and means controlled by the door for automatically separating the pinch roll from the feed roll when the door is opened to facilitate threading a towel web between the feed roll and pinch roll. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of December 1927.

` FRANK M. STEINER. 

